The length of the book of Alma allows modern readers to be too distanced from the end of Mosiah’s reign to remember that this new system of the reign of the judges is still new. Even though forty years have passed, there have only been three judges since Mosiah dissolved the monarchy. One of those two was Alma, who abdicated after only nine years. The subsequent Chief Judge, Nephihah, ruled for around sixteen years. His son, Pahoran, ruled for around fifteen years.
The first transition in power occurred early enough in the new government that it didn’t create any problems. Nevertheless, we see the presence of those who were later called king-men even as early as Alma, when Amlici desires to be king (Alma 1:2). In Nephihah’s reign, Amalickiah was the one who arose and desired to be a king. During Pahoran’s rule, it was the king-men who succeeded in replacing Pahoran for a time.
The situation in Zarahemla continued to be difficult, even though the rebellion had been put down. Thus, when Pahoran dies, there is controversy over who should be the Chief Judge. This was the very situation that Mosiah had foreseen when he established the Reign of the Judges. In accordance with law, the voice of the people selected Pahoran. Not incidentally, it is probable that Pahoran was the eldest, and therefore was elevated to Chief Judge by birthright. This was not a democratic system.